''Hey, Alex shouldn't we stop and set up a camp soon?"
As the sun started to set on the advancing carriage, Lucien called out to Alex. Hearing that, Alex looked out the window and thought for a few seconds before nodding.
''You're right, there's a possibility of straining ourselves tomorrow if we overdo it on the first day.''
Nodding to Lucien's proposal, Alex opened the door that was connected to the driver's seat and called out to Sebastian, who was driving, and Golfak, who was still on the lookout. At some point, Sebastian and Lucien had switched places.
''Sebastian, please stop in the case you find a good spot to camp for the night.''
''Got it.''
''....''
While Sebastian replied to Alex's words, Golfak on the other hand stayed silent.
The trouble from the departure time remained and there was still tension drifting around the driver's seats. In such a state, Sebastian didn't have the nature to cause trouble and kept his silence, because of the event from a while back as well as before the departure that morning, Golfak's fear of Alex kept him quiet as he watched for enemy attacks.
And discovering a place behind some rocks and shielded from the surroundings, the two people in the driver's seats called the others and they decided to stay there for the night.
Stopping the carriage in an area protected by rocks, Alex took out the tent for the men.
While Eleonora set up the tent she had for the women.
At the same time, Meera, the elf, collected firewood from the forest nearby while Golfak drew some water from a small river nearby. With that camp preparations were complete.
After distributing the food for dinner which by the way was a sandwich specifically made by Gracier and Lea, Alex decided to distribute the lookout.
''There will be four shifts. The first shift will be done by Golfak alone.''
Hearing Alex's words the others knew that Golfak was still being punished. And even if he was dissatisfied with this news, there was nothing he could do, it was his fault, to begin with, better obediently suffer instead of going against Alex's orders to suffer another humiliation. If he were to suffer another one, he wasn't sure if his mental health would keep up.
Seeing Golfak not saying anything after hearing his words, Alex smiled and decided to continue.
''After Golfak, the other shifts will be done in pair.''
While saying that, Alex took out an hourglass from his Item box disguised as a fake space ring.
It was a magic tool that he had purchased in a tool shop the day before, it was called Hourglass. Though it was only 5cm tall, because it was made with crushed magic stones that had been processed using alchemy, it was a fairly expensive magic tool.
For a normal hourglass to measure for 2 hours, its size needs to be quite big, but as this hourglass was a magic item made with magic stones, it was possible to measure 2 hours with only the height of 5cm.
Flicking the small hourglass between his fingers Alex announced,
''Because the sand in the hourglass will take 2 hours to fall, switch out when the sand runs out. The first shift as I said earlier will be Golfak alone. The second shift is Lucien and Sebastian. Third shift, Gracier, and Eleonora. As for the last shift, it will be Meera and me. Any objections?''
''What is the basis for the pairings?''
Sitting across the bonfire, opposite Alex, Sebastian asked curiously.
Although Gracier looks at him in dissatisfaction as he asked about the pairings, Sebastian ignored it and waited for Alex's reply.
Giving his sister a chop over her head Alex proceed to explain his choices.
''The first watch is a swordsman, well it's more punishment. The second shift is a Swordsman and a Mage. The third shift is a Mage and a Thief, and the last watch is the Magic gunman and a Spirit mage. I intend to distribute our combat power evenly.''
''Understood. That's fine.''
After Sebastian nodded, because there weren't any other people with different opinions, it became free time.
While Gracier, Eleonora, and Meera were having a talk between women, Golfak was maintaining his magic sword with a proud smile.
To train his magic, Lucien was repeatedly creating and canceling the Water whip he had used against Meera yesterday. It was quite fun to watch him, it was like he was doing a magic show, if he was on Earth, in Las Vegas he would have earned quite a sum of money.
Conrad watched them all without saying anything himself. Alex was eating a Kum Fruit, that he had bought in the city, for dessert, it had the texture of a pear with the acidity of an orange.
During this, Sebastian approached Alex and called out to him.
''Alex, do you have a moment?''
''Yes, I do. What's up?''
''It would be good if it's possible, but could you keep me company during my sword practice?''
''Sword practice?'' Alex asked his eyebrows raised.
''Yes. Anyhow, I want to move my body a little as I was stuck in the carriage for a long time today.''
After thinking about it for a bit, Alex nodded. Though it would have been better to practice with Golfak, he judged that he wasn't a good match for Sebastian because of his arrogant attitude.
〖Even though he knew you are stronger than him, he still wants to fight you. It's a way to put pressure on himself to advance further on his path as a Swordsman. Fight against a stronger opponent to hone your skills. I like this mindset of his, if he didn't die in the future, he will become a great Swordsman and great adventurer.〗Silveria who stayed oddly silent on the way finally spoke, praising Sebastian's mentality.
'I think too.' Alex responded as he stood up.
''Let's move a little bit further. Also, there's no need to injure each doing this.''
''Noted.''
Sebastian nodded at Alex's words.
By now the others stopped whatever they were doing and focused their attention on the pair, only Lucien was too focused on his training thus not showing any interest.
The two stayed at a reasonable distance from each other, Alex beckoned Sebastian to attack.
Sebastian rushed toward Alex. He dipped and weaved right as he was about to reach him and slashed downwards with the sword. Alex parried with the blow with Razor.
Gakin!!!
Metal clashed against metal producing a shriek that sent sparks flying into the air. The swordsman was quick and uppercut slashed at Alex, attempting to catch him from stem all the way to the stern.
Alex sidestepped to the right just enough and the blade passed a hairs breath from his face.
Quickly, before Sebastian could respond with a follow-up, Alex swiftly punched Sebastian in the solar plexus, knocking the wind out of the swordsman, and stunning him for a brief moment, he then kicked the ground and appeared behind the still stunned Sebastian and held his blade against his neck.
''You lost,'' Alex announced from behind him.
''I guess I lost. I thought I could last a bit longer. Guess I was wrong.'' Sebastian said dejectedly.
Smiling Alex said, ''Don't worry, your sword skill is not bad. It was already late I did not want to drag the fight on, hence I decided to quickly finish it. We will be too tired if we continue, besides someone may be injured and that won't be good.''
Sebastian understood Alex's reasoning, still, it was frustrating to lose so quickly, the others returned to their previous activities, while Golfak seemed to be grinning when he saw Sebastian losing, Sebastian did not pay him any heed as if he was a clown.
Having noticed Sebastian's look, Alex chuckled and said, ''Don't worry, we will continue another time. You knew you would lose even before the start, yet you asked me out because you want to hone your skills, I admire that.''
Hearing Alex's words, Sebastian smiled before sheathing his sword. They went to their previous location.
In this way, the first night of the rank-up test passed uneventfully.